There is one MAJOR difference, and that is the method of delivery. When you ingest something, it is digested; and only selected components are pulled through the stomach and intestinal walls. Many impurities are thus screened out, this is the way our bodies work.
However, when you inhale, you bypass a great many of your body's defence mechanisms. I would argue that the amount of these chemicals that wind up in your bloodstream through smoking, is exponentially higher than an identical level brought in through consumption.
Also, you put words in my mouth. I have never stated this
"As you state above, exposure to tobacco smoke plays absolutely no role and first hand smoking creates a slightly higher risk.
This was unfair of you. I do not make assinie statements, and indicate that you posted the same, I would expect the same courtesy in return. I don't seriously believe that you think this is the truth. I doubt you will find ANY MD who would say that there is any truth in that statement. The link between smoking and lung cancer, heart disease, liver problems ect. has been demonstrated time and time again. One person challenged me to provide 'unbiased' links, then chastised me for using .gov and .edu as sources. I intentionally avoided the .com suffix; as these are commercial entities with a vested financial interest.
With regard to Japanese Lung cancer rates, there are 2 points of diverence. First of all, do Japanese cigarettes contain the same known carcinogens used by US cigarette companies? Secondly, smoking in Japan is only recently coming into vogue. To fully appreciate the consequences of smoking takes time. Smoking is an accumulative damage issue. You typically won't get lung cancer from 1 cigarette; but the odds of developing respiratory problems increase over time.
Per your tagline: We enjoy the rights of a legal commodity and yes! We take responsibility for our own actions!
Oh, really?
During the early years after its introduction into Japan, tobacco became the subject of much prohibitive legislation, but in spite of legal hindrances, the cultivation and use of tobacco continued to spread.
By the time when the bans were lifted in the seventeenth century, tobacco was firmly established as one of the most popular consumer luxuries throughout all social levels, including the rank and file of the lower and middle strata of the population.